We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mikel Arrindell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mikel below.

Mikel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Being self-taught in this field of design is rewarding yet frustrating. With every project there’s a small whisper of doubt that creeps in, allowing a moment or two for you to second-guess yourself. Yet the relief and accomplishment outweigh those thoughts every single time. Learning to lean into that doubt has been the most challenging part. Being able to take a step back and trust the fundamentals has gotten me out of many sticky situations. Over time your creativity grows from there; learning to tweak patterns and techniques to push the standards and expectations of what a piece can be.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always been known for tinkering; wanting to tear things apart and make them my way. I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York and my parents are Trinidadian. That in itself gave me more than enough culture and experiences to see the world a bit differently. Growing up in New York, I was immersed in fashion but also so many different viewpoints of it. Going from Manhattan with high-end brands and clean tailoring to Brooklyn learning streetwear and sneaker culture.

Wuhn started by accident. I had a wild idea to glue snakeskin on a shirt and thought nothing of it after posting it to my Instagram story. 3 hours later I have a handful of people asking me for a website to buy and how they can place their order. The brand has always been focused on creating one-of-one pieces for clients that tell a story. Our specialty in storytelling is interaction. Each piece is pushing a boundary with materials that engage onlookers to want to know more. We use various fabrics and mediums, from leather back canvas paintings, to exotic skin sneakers, 3M reflective leather jackets, and many more. Custom orders are made from scratch and designed around you; your interest, your story, your personality.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the process. Going from the conception, speaking to clients understanding more about them and what they want then tying those wants into a design that not only tells their story but properly communicates it in the form of a bag, jacket, etc. Making these concepts tangible and trusting the process to see this idea come to reality will never get old for me. It is a rollercoaster of emotions; doubt, excitement, concern, second-guessing, and determination. All for the final project, where you see it was all worth it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives struggle to understand that they are creative and talented as well. We all see the world differently, but in those differences lies the creativity to make something work. For me, creativity stems from being resourceful. I didn’t have certain things but I really wanted them so I figured out a way to make due. My mother refused to buy me skinny jeans as a kid, I really wanted them. That circumstance is what pushed me to try and learn how to sew. Was it a terrible alteration to my pants? Yes. Did I end up ripping my pants? Absolutely but I ended up getting what I wanted and I loved those jeans. Consistency, in making due and following through with your wild ideas is creativity. You are creative too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wuhn.mypagecloud.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__mikelangelo/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikel.arrindell
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@__mikelangelo